Magnet fishers found what's believed to be an unexploded grenade in the canal in Leicester this afternoon.

The area around Bede Park and the Grand Union Canal were taped off and the bomb squad called in after the discovery was made at around 2.30pm.

It is not know how long the area will remain closed to the public but people are asked to avoid the area while the situation is dealt with by emergency services and the armed forces.

Bystander Ronan Milne said: “We had just come back from Pride so we had no idea what is going on, but it’s not really that unusual for this area.”

A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I’m flabbergasted. I’m so surprised they’ve fished something like that out of the river.”

Leicestershire Police statement in full

Police are currently in attendance in an area of the Grand Union Canal in Leicester after receiving a report of what is believed to be a grenade having been found in the water.

Officers were called at around 2.30pm today (Saturday 31 August) by a member of the public reporting having found the item while fishing in the canal.

Officers are in attendance and have cordoned off an area around the scene.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) have been called to attend and examine the device.

Road closures are currently in place on Western Boulevard with the junction of Tarragon Road and Bede Island Road, Mill Lane with the junction of Grasmere Street and Eastern Boulevard with the junction of Ullswater Street.